|
![](images/researchban.gif)
The Foundation's priority projects include:
Developing cooperative R&D programs with private,
academic and government entities.
Invasive aquatic plants are a national problem in scope, and local resources
alone cannot solve it. The problem demands national attention and requires
national cooperation. The AERF is in the forefront fighting this problem working
with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, academic institutions and the private sector
in valuable research programs that must continue to receive the resources
required to develop innovative and effective techniques for managing the next
wave of exotic plant invaders.
![](images/applications.jpg)
The AERF and USAERDC
The AERF has a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with
the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, MS.
This CRADA allows for the joint conduct of research to evaluate environmentally
sound chemical formulations and application technologies for selectively
managing aquatic invasive species. In addition, the collaborative R&D with ERDC
has fostered research projects with leading universities, substantial efforts in
training graduate students, a variety of public information and outreach
activities, and regulatory interactions on both the state and Federal level. The
entire aquatic plant management community has benefited greatly from this
government - private sector partnership. |
|
Examples of Foundation partnerships:
Invasive tamarisk
impacts - Southwest In the arid
southwest, the thirsty riparian tree invader, tamarisk, threatens both
the economy and the fragile ecology by consuming more water than native
plants. Analysis of tamarisk's effect on water availability is key in
guiding management action. Good news on this issue comes from the
growing number of actual restoration projects that report positive
changes in water use following tamarisk removal and revegetation.
Results, from studies conducted by the University of Santa Cruz, will
aid the National Invasive Species Council's economic assessment of
tamarisk management options for the west |
Regulatory interactions - EPA
Registrants, agency and academic research groups, and the regulatory
community are evaluating reduced-risk compounds to control invasive
aquatic and wetland plants. Emphasis is placed on products to
control species that have developed resistance to the most widely
used herbicides. Results of studies from a multi-tiered approach
utilizing growth chambers, outdoor mesocosms, experimental ponds,
and field trials will be available for environmental and human
health risk assessments. Interaction with the USEPA Office of
Pesticide Programs and key state regulatory agencies ensures a
timely and cost effective process for securing aquatic labels for
environmentally compatible compounds.
|
Improving control of hydrilla - Florida
Several new, reduced-risk
herbicides are being evaluated for improving control of hydrilla in
Florida and other Southeastern states. Cooperators include the FL
Department of Environmental Protection, the University of Florida's
Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, and the US Army Corps of
Engineers. Results of these studies will provide guidance to water
resource managers for the selective control of hydrilla in lakes,
reservoirs, rivers and canals. These species-selective control
techniques will minimize impacts to water quality and to nontarget
plants and animals.
|
Phragmites control - Great
Lakes
Phragmites, an invasive grass,
is destroying native wetlands and wildlife habitat around the Great
Lakes. Through cooperative work with local waterfowl organizations,
other private groups and the MI Department of Natural Resources,
integrated methods (burning, mowing, chemical, flooding) are being
developed to remove phragmites, restoring species rich hemi-marshes and
native lake plain prairie communities. Restoration sites are located on
the shores of Lake St. Clair, and results of these studies will be used
to develop a user-friendly manual for phragmites management in the
northern tier states.
|
|